Great Ming: Burying Corrupt Officials Alive and Driving Zhu Yuanzhang Mad

In the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, corrupt officials run rampant.

Gu Chen lives in seclusion in Jiangnan, where he has mastered the immortal arts, yet he prefers to fight violence with violence.

Whether you're an imperial relative or a court official, if you embezzle or break the law, you'll be buried alive in the street without a trial or even a question!

One day, the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang goes undercover on an inspection tour and catches Gu Chen burying an imperial envoy alive. He erupts in fury: "You insolent brat! I'll wipe out your entire clan!"

But when the Jinyiwei present their investigation report, the decisive Hongwu Emperor reads the words "eldest legitimate son of the Prince of Yan, grandson of the Taizu Emperor." His hands tremble, and tears stream down his face.

The next day, Old Zhu follows Gu Chen around disguised as a grumpy old man, beaming as he says, "Grandson, you didn't bury that fellow deep enough yesterday. Grandpa will help you fill in the dirt!"

Years later, after the Jingnan Campaign ends, the Yongle Emperor Zhu Di is about to strike down Gu Chen, whose power dominates the court.

Just then, Old Zhu, who was supposed to have died years ago, steps out from behind Gu Chen with a shoe sole in hand and kicks Zhu Di to the ground. "Fourth Son, whose entire clan are you planning to wipe out?!"

Terrified, Zhu Di scrambles forward and kowtows on the spot. "Father, I was wrong!"